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While Durga Vahini members were busy opposing the modern nude art exhibition in New Delhi on Monday, the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath (CKP), the premier art gallery in Bangalore, quietly removed nude paintings of a New Delhi-based artist Anirudh Sainath Krishnamani, fearing similar actions by the "moral police".

The Durga Vahini has become active in "moral policing" since the last one month in Karnataka, especially the coastal area. Last week, they led a police raid on a music lounge in Mangalore alleging that the youths were indulging in doping. They compelled the police to take into custody seven youths, including three girls, who were let off from the station after questioning. Though the parents of the youths protested against the police, the government did not take any action against the policemen concerned.

On Monday too, the police appeared to be working in silos without giving any official explanation or a written document. Anirudh, an emerging artist, was in for a shock when the CKP management told him that he had to remove three of the 30 paintings on display because of "intelligence report" from the police that the exhibition could trigger protests, as it happened in Delhi.

The three paintings were of Hindu gods and goddesses depicting partial nudity. Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj had opened Anirudh's painting exhibition on Sunday. On Monday, the local police met the CKP authorities and the artist to discuss about removing the "objectionable painting."

Apparently, both the CKP authorities and Anirudh protested against the police's suggestion, but had to eventually relent. "The CKP is venue for several other art and culture events. At present, a crafts exhibition is on. The CKP complex also houses the College of Fine Arts and hundreds of students study here. We do not want all these to be upset if there are any protests," CKP Chief Administrative Officer R Sreedhar, said.

However, the artist plans to approach the police seeking clarity. The police contended they were acting on the basis of "intelligence reports" that the painting exhibition could lead to a law and order situation or foment trouble. "We cannot reveal exactly the source. At times, we have to take action suo motu," a jurisdictional police officer, maintained.

The CKP is an Art Complex, operating since the last five decades as the leading centre for visual arts. It is a landmark for visual culture and one of the most visited galleries by international and Indian tourists. It comprises of a network of museums, galleries, archive that stores pan-Indian visual culture, including folk, traditional, modern and contemporary art and artists.